09.12.2010 - Vinexpo news selection
Bordeaux’s wine museum project has generated a passionate worldwide interest. 114 teams made up of architects and scenographers have taken up the challenge and become candidates in the competition launched in September by the City of Bordeaux for the future Centre of Wine Culture and Tourism (CCTV). The teams represent twelve different nationalities, spread over three continents: Europe, America and Asia.
Among the candidates are some firms with famous designs to their name, but whose identity, for the moment at least, remains secret. However, the name of one of the most brilliant designers where museums are concerned, Renzo Piano, has been mentioned ‘backstage’. Piano designed the Pompidou centre in Paris and the Paul Klee museum in Berne.
Philippe Massol, director of the future centre, comments on the symbolic importance of such a showcase: “This confirms the emblematic nature of the project. It’s the first time a building entirely devoted to wine will be erected in the world’s wine capital. News about the project has spread by word of mouth, which has had a very positive effect.”
Catherine Leparmentier, who is in charge of public relations between all the world’s great wine cities at the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has also perceived this keen international interest in the future centre. She notes: “Porto is closely following the project’s progress, as is California. This is not merely a local challenge for Bordeaux. The centre will have a universal dimension in the name of wine.” (Bordeaux Wine News / 8 December 2010)